Tough call but Giants stick with FB Hynoski

MICHAEL KUBEL, THE MORNING CALL

Henry Hynoski (45) has been the New York Giants fullback since 2011 and won a battle in camp to stay there. Meanwhile, rookie Ryan Nassib from Syracuse beat out Curtis Painter for the Giant's backup QB job.

Henry Hynoski (45) has been the New York Giants fullback since 2011 and won a battle in camp to stay there. Meanwhile, rookie Ryan Nassib from Syracuse beat out Curtis Painter for the Giant's backup QB job. (MICHAEL KUBEL, THE MORNING CALL)

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The New York Giants fullback competition might not have been the team's most glamorous, but it was certainly one of the closest, according to head coach Tom Coughlin.

That's because in Henry Hynoski and John Conner, New York had two very capable lead blockers, both of whom have proven to be a backbone in the Giants' rushing game.

"Two very good players," Coughlin said. "Both guys can play in this league. Both of them are physical. They'll knock the heck out of you."

In the end, however, the team went with Hynoski, the starter every season since 2011 who hails from Columbia County. Hynoski revealed earlier this summer that he has been given a small package of plays designed for the H-back.

Hynoski was also thought to be the more athletic runner and receiver out of the backfield, both factors that likely put the coaching staff's minds at ease about keeping only three tight ends and three running backs.

"I'm really asked to do a lot," he said. "Right now I can play fullback, obviously, running back, and tight end is something I feel I can do also. Getting into some routes, some inline blocking and that type of thing. In this league, the more you can do, the better. It certainly won't hurt if I can expand my role a little bit more."

The biggest concern though with Hynoski is his durability. The fourth-year fullback suffered a contusion to his left shoulder, the same one he fractured last year three games into the season, an injury that landed him on injured reserve.

Conner, on the other hand, proved to be mostly durable. He didn't miss any preseason games this summer despite suffering a concussion midway through the Giants' slate. Coughlin also praised the fifth year veteran for his yeoman-like manner.

"I think he's a heck of a player and a great competitor and a good man. He doesn't say a word, just goes and does his job. Give me all of those you can find," Coughlin said.

The desired plan for the Giants all along was to go with two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and that's exactly what they were able to do this year after carrying three in 2013, the first time they did so under Coughlin since the 2007 season.

The extra roster spot was made possible thanks to the major steps taken by second-year man Ryan Nassib in his development this summer.

"Ryan Nassib made big strides," Coughlin said. "I think that his third and fourth preseason games were outstanding. You see definite improvement. You see the work that he's put in."

For a while, it was touch-and-go for Nassib. He often times looked confused in the spring and even into the first week of training camp.

However, one day the light switch went on for the former Syracuse signal caller, and he performed so well in practice that Coughlin elevated Nassib ahead veteran Curtis Painter.

"He's been a very good student and he's applied that to the field," Coughlin said.

It wasn't all smooth sailing though for Nassib, who the Giants traded up to get in last year's draft. He was temporarily demoted after the team's second preseason game this summer (against the Steelers) in which he completed 12 of 21 pass attempts for 81 yards and no touchdowns.

However, Nassib showed his resiliency by shaking off the poor performance and finishing strong in the team's final three preseason games. During that stretch, he completed 25 of 31 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns.

"What I really liked is he did have a poor preseason game and he came back with two good ones," Coughlin said. "That showed me, he didn't do it by talking; he did it by working."

LIONS GAME

The New York Giants debut their new-look offense with hopes of avoiding a repeat of their horrific start to the 2013 campaign when they visit the Detroit Lions on Monday night in the season opener for both teams. New York put itself out of playoff contention early last year, losing its first six games thanks largely to its shoddy offensive play. The Giants led the NFL with 44 giveaways, including a league-high 27 interceptions by Eli Manning, and ranked 28th in scoring with 294 points.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride promptly retired after the season and New York brought in Ben McAdoo from Green Bay to install his version of the West Coast offense — a system with which Manning struggled during the preseason. Detroit is seeking just its third winning season in the last 15 after losing six of its last seven games in 2013 — including each of its final four. Coach Jim Schwartz took the fall for the meltdown and was replaced by Jim Caldwell, whose offensive-minded approach could do wonders for a team boasting the likes of Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford and Reggie Bush.

New York will be without its 2014 first-round pick as wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will watch from the sideline with a hamstring injury that limited him throughout the preseason. Guard Geoff Schwartz will miss the first half of the season as he was placed on injured reserve/designated to return with a dislocated big toe on his right foot. To replace him, New York signed veteran offensive lineman Adam Snyder, who was released by San Francisco on Saturday.

Stafford will have a second option after Johnson this season as Detroit added Golden Tate, who made a career-high 64 receptions for Super Bowl champion Seattle last season. That's good news for Johnson, who missed two games in 2013 due to a nagging knee injury and saw action in only one preseason contest in order to maintain his good health. "My body feels great," the superstar said. "This is as good as I've felt in a while." Stafford hopes the duo will help him eclipse the 4,500-yard plateau for a fourth straight season.